VISITED THE LAKE TODAY 30 OCTOBER 2010

Today was quite hot with a slight breeze from the East.

First took a look at the Northern side, between the derelict shopping centre and The Don;

• the sludge seems to have subsided by about 100 - 200 mm
• quite a lot of debris is being released and floating to the surface
• there was no smell

The went to the opposite side of the lake to the Garden Court Hotel:

• as the wind was blowing across the lake from the Eastern side that has not as been inoculated there was a slight unpleasant smell but noticed that some residents were sitting out on their patio's, relaxing.
• here too the silt has subsided by about the same amount.
• disapointedly though, my tubiflex were not to be seen, sobs

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE 29 OCTOBER 2010

It has been disappointing and slow progress since beginning to inoculate the Lake on Wednesday. Lots of logistical problems:

• The water tanker that we ordered did not pitch
• The guys from the Zoo Lake Horticultural Training Centre arrive after 09:30h and then take a tea break till about 10:00 or later
• Of the 12 /13 sponsored learners, who applied for the Horticultural Training i.e. to further their interests in farming, nurseries etc. only 2 are prepared to get their hands dirty - in my eyes a total waste of taxpayers money. Nice bunch though - I now know all about 'SA has Talent', Idols and So You Think you can Dance etc.
• An interesting observation; yesterday, Thursday, we inoculated from the banks of the Garden Court Hotel and I asked the Hotel Manager if the hotel would make them some sandwich's and tea for breakfast for which I would pay - the hotel put on a magnificent spread and set it up on the pool deck - real 4 star treatment. Only 2 of the students came to thank me - the same 2 that are prepared to work.
• The water level is too low in which to float my rubber duck!

Progress

Wednesday - We eventually got started after 11:30h inoculated with 500 litres of EMgro SAEM and added some 1 000 SAEM Bokashi Balls. I was told that there was not sufficient time left to collect another tanker of SAEM as the learners had to get back to Zoo Lake to shower and get ready to knock off by 14:30h. So an effective 1.5 hours work was done

Thursday - On arrival I first went and inspected the area that we had inoculated the previous day. The improvement and change was far beyond that what 'I even' anticipated, the sludge was bubbling away and much debris was floating to the surface. I decided to go and inoculate from the opposite side of the Lake - from the banks of the Garden Court Hotel. In discussion with the Manager of the Hotel; she informed me that this was the first morning in ages that they woke up to 'no smell from the lake'.After having their breakfast we managed to spray 1 000 litres and distribute another 1500 Bokashi Balls before the students had to leave; 14:30h!

Friday / Today

On arrival today, I was greeted by the most unbelievable experience - remember that I am a bit of an environmentalist - there were lots of tubiflex worms swimming around in the water that we inoculated the previous day!!!!!! So excited. This tells me that the oxygen levels are normalising, the pH levels are stabilising to suitable levels and that the water is becoming able to support small animal life.

I really did not believe that this would happen so quickly.

We managed to dose with 1 load / 500 liters of EMgro SAEM, add 500 Bokashi Balls and was informed at 10:00h that today was half day off.

So the Summary: I was hoping to have inoculated the entire surface area of the Lake with some 10 000 - 15 000 litres of EMgro SAEM by the end of today but only achieved 2 000 litres over about a quarter of the surface area of the lake

In spite of the above, amazing progress and change has happened.

The way forward from here;

• I will be meeting with Jane Eagle, Assistant Director Environment, on Monday to discuss and formalise a more reliable and efficient inoculation procedure to be followed into the future.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE 25 OCTOBER 2010

Much of the morning today was spent on gathering samples for water and sludge testing.

The picture on the left is of the HDO of the Microbiological Department of the University of Johannesburg and two of his lucky students gathering samples. I say 'lucky' because I truly believe that they will be monitoring and documenting the most far reaching and sustainable water conservation project ever undertaken in South Africa!

Although we will need wait for the results of their analysis; some preliminary deductions that I have made from today's excursion are:

• That the lake is about 80% silted up (filled with rotting organic debris) that is highly toxic
• The pH (Alkalinity / Acidity of the water); the test sites indicated pH levels of 8.3 to 9, indicate that most the most problematic area is the amount of chemicals that are being released into the system
• Let's await the final results of the research and findings.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

The students rolled 3 600 Bokashi Balls and we will throwing them into Bruma on Wednesday 27th October.

Lots of willing hands will be appreciated on Wed, Thurs and Fri.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

The students will complete the rolling of the Bokashi Balls at the Horticultural Training Centre, Zoo Lake today.

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

Mixing the Bokashi and rolling the mud balls.

Students at the JHB City Parks Horticulture Training Centre have rolled 3 600 Bokashi Dumplings that will be distributed in the Lake on Wednesday 27th October 2010

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

STEP 2:

Left - Bokashi Fermenting at Zoo Lake.

Bokashi is a Japanese word that roughly means living matter. The Bokashi that we will be using in the lake is made by fermenting wheat bran, under strictly control ed conditions with EMgro SAEM for 4 - 6 week period.

Once fermentation is completed the fermented bran is rolled into tennis ball sized dumplings also referred to as mud balls.

The dumplings are then left to cure for about 5 - 6 during which time further fermentation takes place. They are now ready for distribution into the waterway

BIOREMEDIATION OF BRUMA LAKE

STEP 1:

Left: The 10 000 litre brewing facility at Zoo Lake.

Over the next few weeks, beginning on Wednesday 27th October 2010 the Canal and Lake will be inoculated with some 20 000 liters of EMgro Natrology SAEM.

SAEM is a fermented 'cocktail' of Beneficial Microorganisms that amongst other things have the ability to devour organic matter without leaving residues.

We would value the participation of the public during the inoculation. So please pitch up with a bucket!

Bruma Lake receives its water inflow from a vast area.

The source of the Jukskei Spruit is from the underground waters from under the JHB CBD. Presently these waters are of good quality but will come under the rising threat of the raising Mine Waters in the area.

However because of development within the catchment area, most of the inflow is from the storm water drainage system. The storm water drainage system incorporating parts of Yeoville, Cyrildene, Observatory etc. to the North and parts of Jeppe and Jeppestown, Ellis Park, Judith Paarl, Kensington etc. to the South.

All pavement and street litter in these areas ultimately finds itself into Bruma Lake.

A huge influx of this accumulated litter happens every year at the start of the rainy season.

During the dry season, tons of litter and waste accumulates in the storm water drains In anticipation of this, an external company was engaged by the Council to remove it. They were on site within days of the first rains and have so far removed some 30 tons of inorganic litter that has been incinerated at their plant.

FULL DISCLOSURE

I need to Stress from the outset that I DO NOT speak on behalf of, or represent the City of Johannesburg in manner what-so ever!

In certain areas, such as Zoo Lake, JHB City Parks have been making use of, and conducting numerous testing of EMgro Natrology Technology and its Products.

I will however defend and give them my full support and assistance when ill founded and nothing but mischievous slander is report to of by the Media ie.;

The Star headline two weekends ago after our first summer rain, something to the effect '1.8 meters of human excretement flows into Bruma Lake' Utter Rubbish! The silt level of the Lake has remained the same, albeit not a healthy situation has remained the same for the past 18 month since I began to monitor it.

What did however wash into the lake was; about 30 tons of 'Human Waste'!

Paper, plastic, tire rubber from the roads (collected since out last decent rains), oil from the roads and probably the most damaging; chemicals from the soaps and detergents from washing cars in the street, soapy laundry water that is let out into catchment area.

Bruma Lake

The once beautiful Bruma Lake Water feature and water playground, as with so many of our waters and waterways has become a cesspit!

This page has been initiated by Chris Swanepoel of EMgro Natrology (Pty)Ltd to provide interested parties with the facts of the condition of Bruma Lake and of what is happening and beeing done!

It is not a forum for bitching and complaining. We do however hope that you will join the cause, offer your veiws, more inportantly post your solutions! Most important though is in keeping with the 702 & Independent News initiative "Lead South Africa". You see; what we do at Bruma Lake will have a direct impact all the way down the Jukskei into Hartebeespoort Dam which flows into the Crocodile River passes through the Kruger Park (where the Crocs are dying) on its sojourn into the Sea.